Dodgers Set Pitching Rotation for NLCS Game 1 vs. Brewers
Tarik Skubal will start for the Dodgers in Game 1, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto slated for Game 2.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will open the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers with Tarik Skubal on the mound for Game 1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the World Series MVP from the previous year, is scheduled to start Game 2.
Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, previously started Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. In that outing, he pitched six innings, allowing one run and two hits, while striking out seven and walking two in a 5-3 victory.
Jacob Misiorowski is expected to be the staff ace for the Brewers in Game 1. Misiorowski has faced the Dodgers twice in regular season starts and made one relief appearance in last year's NLCS. Across those 17 innings, he has a 1.59 ERA with 27 strikeouts and three walks.
Yamamoto pitched in Game 3 of the NLDS, recording 10 strikeouts over seven innings. He allowed one run and four hits, with one walk.
Another Dodgers pitcher, Blake Snell, struggled in his start in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Braves. The Braves won that game 3-2, tying the series, though the Dodgers ultimately eliminated them 3-1.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that the team was considering adding another pitcher for the best-of-seven NLCS, which would necessitate removing a position player from the roster. Rosters are due Sunday morning.
Utility player Miguel Rojas exited Game 3 of the NLDS against the Braves with lower back pain. Imaging revealed that his issues were mostly pre-existing. Rojas took ground balls and participated in batting practice Friday at Dodger Stadium. Roberts described the day's activities as "encouraging" but stated that a definitive status update would depend on how Rojas feels after traveling and participating in the workout on Saturday.